The AUTOMAT project seeks to transform the end-of-life management of batteries and electronic devices by advancing next-generation recycling and reuse technologies that integrate automation, data-driven decision-making, and sustainability principles. Its overarching objective is to enable a fully circular battery value chain that minimizes raw material extraction, enhances resource efficiency, and supports the European Union’s transition to a climate-neutral economy. AUTOMAT focuses on the development of cutting-edge sorting and separation technologies that ensure the efficient recovery of critical raw materials, while embedding energy, water, and resource efficiency throughout recycling operations to achieve a low environmental footprint. The project aligns closely with the EU’s Sustainable Raw Materials principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that materials extraction, recycling, and processing are conducted in ways that are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible. By reducing dependence on primary resource extraction, promoting benefits for local communities, and supporting policies under the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and electric mobility strategies, AUTOMAT contributes to Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical materials supply chains.
A central innovation of the project is its integration of Digital Product and Battery Passports, which enable full traceability, transparency, and lifecycle accountability for all battery components, fostering trust and compliance within regulatory frameworks. Additionally, AUTOMAT’s Decision Support System (DSS) is designed to identify and qualify reusable batteries for second-life applications, significantly extending battery lifespans, lowering costs for manufacturers and end-users, and opening new market opportunities. By coupling these technological advances with interdisciplinary expertise in engineering, digitalization, and social sciences, the project ensures that its innovations are socially accepted, economically viable, and policy-relevant. Ultimately, AUTOMAT will contribute to the large-scale deployment of sustainable and automated recycling solutions, reduce Europe’s environmental impact, secure access to critical raw materials, and strengthen its global leadership in green technology innovation.
